Pipeline protection and levee module system

Abstract

A levee and barrier module for fluid control and containment is provided including an outer module shell and a module-to-module connection system to attach adjacent outer shells. The outer module shell is formed by opposing side walls and two opposing end walls and is configured to enclose or support filler material. The outer module shell defines a top aperture and a bottom aperture. The bottom aperture allows filler material communication with the earth below the module. The top aperture allows filler material to be added to the module, as well as visual observation of, and maintenance of, the amount of contained filler material. A presented application is directed to protecting pipelines and to allowing pipeline integration or association with levees.

1. A levee module system for use with at least two pilings, comprising:
 a first module comprising two opposing end walls, two opposing side walls, opposing first and second top end guide plates each extending from a top edge of one of said opposing end walls, opposing first and second bottom end guide plates each extending from a bottom edge of one of said opposing end walls, wherein said first module is configured with a top aperture configured to receive filler material and a bottom aperture configured to allow exit of at least a portion of said filler material, wherein said first opposing bottom end guide plate and said first opposing top end guide plate are configured with vertically aligned conduits sized and configured to receive one of said at least two pilings, and wherein said second opposing bottom end guide plate and said second opposing top end guide plate are configured with vertically aligned conduits sized and configured to receive one of said at least two pilings; 
 a first piling cap configured to fit over a first one of said at least two pilings and configured to be attached to said first top end guide plate; and 
 a second piling cap configured to fit over a second one of said at least two pilings and configured to be attached to said second top end guide plate, whereby the weight of said first module is supportable by said at least two pilings so as to allow a pipeline to run below said first module without bearing the weight of said first module. 
 
     
     
       2. The levee module system for use with at least two pilings, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said two opposing end walls are each configured with an end aperture. 
     
     
       3. The levee module system for use with at least two pilings, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a module-to-module connection system configured to connect horizontally adjacent modules. 
     
     
       4. The levee module system for use with at least two pilings, as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said module-to-module connection system comprises complementary outward-facing end flanges and inward-facing end flanges. 
     
     
       5. The levee module system for use with at least two pilings, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first top end guide plate is configured with two conduits; 
 said second top end guide plate is configured with two conduits; 
 said first bottom end guide plate is configured with two conduits; and 
 said second bottom end guide plate is configured with two conduits. 
 
     
     
       6. The levee module system for use with at least two pilings, as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a third piling cap configured to fit over a third one of said at least two pilings and configured to be attached to said first top end guide plate; and 
 a fourth piling cap configured to fit over a fourth one of said at least two pilings and configured to be attached to said second top end guide plate. 
 
     
     
       7. The levee module system for use with at least two pilings, as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a second module comprising two opposing end walls, two opposing side walls, opposing third and fourth top end guide plates each extending from a top edge of one of said opposing end walls, opposing third and fourth bottom end guide plates each extending from a bottom edge of one of said opposing end walls; wherein said second module is configured with a top aperture configured to receive filler material and a bottom aperture configured to allow exit of at least a portion of said filler material; 
 wherein said third opposing bottom end guide plate and said third opposing top end guide plate are configured with vertically aligned conduits sized and configured to receive one of said at least two pilings; wherein said fourth opposing bottom end guide plate and said fourth opposing top end guide plate are configured with vertically aligned conduits sized and configured to receive one of said at least two pilings; and wherein the length and width of said second module is substantially equal to the length and width of said first module; 
 a first extension having a height greater than the height of said second module, said first extension comprising a first extension pipe and a first extension cap configured to fit over said first piling cap; 
 a second extension having a height greater than the height of said second module, said second extension comprising a second extension pipe and a second extension cap configured to fit over said second piling cap; 
 a third extension having a height greater than the height of said second module, said third extension comprising a third extension pipe and a third extension cap configured to fit over said third piling cap; and 
 a fourth extension having a height greater than the height of said second module, said fourth extension comprising a fourth extension pipe and a fourth extension cap configured to fit over said fourth piling cap. 
 
     
     
       8. The levee module system for use with at least two pilings, as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a fifth piling cap configured to fit over said first extension pipe and configured to be attached to said third top end guide plate; 
 a sixth piling cap configured to fit over said second extension pipe and configured to be attached to said third top end guide plate; 
 a seventh piling cap configured to fit over said third extension pipe and configured to be attached to said third top end guide plate; and 
 an eighth piling cap configured to fit over said fourth extension pipe and configured to be attached to said third top end guide plate. 
 
     
     
       9. A method to install a module system for protecting a pipeline, comprising:
 driving four pilings into the ground a sufficient distance to provide support for said module system, wherein the first two of said four pilings are placed to a first side of said pipeline, and wherein the second two of said four pilings are placed to a second side of said pipeline; 
 placing a first module comprising a first outer shell configured with four upper guide conduits aligned with four lower guide conduits onto said four pilings with each of said four aligned upper and lower guide conduits receiving one of said four pilings; 
 placing a first piling cap over the top of a first of said four pilings; 
 welding said first piling cap to the top of said first outer shell; 
 placing a second piling cap over the top of a second of said four pilings; 
 welding said second piling cap to the top of said first outer shell; 
 placing a third piling cap over the top of a third of said four pilings; 
 welding said third piling cap to the top of said first outer shell; 
 placing a fourth piling cap over the top of a fourth of said four pilings; and 
 welding said fourth piling cap to the top of said first outer shell. 
 
     
     
       10. The method to install a module system for protecting a pipeline, as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 placing a first extension onto said first piling cap; 
 placing a second extension onto said second piling cap; 
 placing a third extension onto said third piling cap; 
 placing a fourth extension onto said fourth piling cap; 
 placing a second module comprising a second outer shell configured with four upper extended conduits aligned with four lower extended conduits onto said first module with each of said four aligned upper and lower guide conduits receiving one of said first extension, said second extension, said third extension, or said fourth extension. 
 
     
     
       11. The method to install a module system for protecting a pipeline, as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 placing a fifth piling cap on the top of said first extension; 
 welding said fifth piling cap to the top of said second outer shell; 
 placing a sixth piling cap on the top of said second extension; 
 welding said sixth piling cap to the top of said second outer shell; 
 placing a seventh piling cap on the top of said third extension; 
 welding said seventh piling cap to the top of said second outer shell; 
 placing a eighth piling cap on the top of said fourth extension; and 
 welding said eighth piling cap to the top of said second outer shell.